Well, it’s the 20th of May again, and everyone in China knows what that means: it’s love time. But instead of buying yet another Labubu gift or a bouquet of short-lived flowers, try delving into the notion of love by way of a documentary… or five. What better way to understand the power of love than to sit with your significant other (or yourself—self-love is just as important) and dive into artistically crafted films that depict different manifestations of “love”?

Our roundup of captivating documentaries explores love, aging, and identity, just like in Coby and Stephen Are in Love (2019), which celebrates a tender romance between a 92-year-old dancer and a 74-year-old filmmaker, united by dance. Hard Love (2021) follows five women navigating modern romance and societal pressures in urban China, while Summer’s Desire (2015) amplifies the bold voices of the post-’90s generation redefining love and sexuality. Mr. Jia and His Friends (2008) offers a humorous glimpse into Beijing’s senior dating world, spotlighting an 84-year-old widower and a charming 77-year-old teacher. Lastly, Four Springs (2017) weaves a poetic portrait of family and time through a filmmaker’s lens on his aging parents.

Spanning heartfelt romances to raw societal insights, these documentaries blend lyrical storytelling with unfiltered human experiences, making them essential viewing for fans of intimate, thought-provoking cinema.

相爱的柯比与史蒂芬 Coby and Stephen Are in Love (2019)

A lyrical documentary chronicling the twilight romance between two extraordinary souls: 92-year-old Coby, a retired dancer who once lit up San Francisco’s Chinatown nightclubs, and 74-year-old Stephen, a former experimental filmmaker shaped by the anti-war movements of the 1960s. Despite their divergent pasts, they find harmony—on the dancefloor and in life.

“炼”爱 Hard Love (2021)

Director Dong Xueying’s incisive documentary captures the lives of five single women navigating love, independence, and societal expectations in urban China. Among them: a romantic determined to find a lasting relationship; a pragmatist who sees egg-freezing as her “best investment”; a dutiful daughter wearied by endless matchmaking events; an optimist swiping through dating apps in search of connection; and a single mother balancing parenthood with personal dreams.

雨水丰沛的季节 Summer’s Desire (2015)

An intimate, confessional documentary delving into the evolving landscape of love and sexuality in China’s post-’90s generation. Through raw, unfiltered voices, it captures their candid perspectives, navigating modern relationships and societal shifts in a time of abundant change, offering a poignant glimpse into their desires and struggles.

老年男女 Mr. Jia and His Friends (2008)

This candid documentary pulls back the curtain on Beijing’s senior dating scene. Eighty-four-year-old Mr. Jia—a widowed former official—insists he’s “only 54” as he chases younger women, while 77-year-old “Godmother,” a retired teacher, charms multiple suitors with her wit and warmth.

四个春天 Four Springs (2017)

A lyrical documentary that unfolds like a visual poem, Four Springs is director Lu Qingyi’s love letter to time, family, and the art of ordinary living. After decades away from his hometown, Lu returns with a camera to chronicle four years in the lives of his aging parents in their rural southern town.